Method for executing program and electronic device thereof

ABSTRACT

A method in an electronic device, includes receiving an instruction including an implicit call, identifying at least one program corresponding to the instruction of the implicit call, when a number of the identified program is more than one, providing a first program of the identified program corresponding to the implicit call, and displaying a second program of the identified program corresponding to the implicit call during running of the first program. An electronic device includes a processor configure to create an object representing an implicit call, provide a plurality of programs to created object, determine a first program among the plurality of programs, and execute the first program when the object is selected, and provide at least one second program among the programs during executing the first program.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/297,519,filed Jun. 5, 2014, which claims priority to Korean Application No. KR10-2013-0064926, filed Jun. 5, 2013, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and in particularto a method for processing data and an electronic device thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

With the development of mobile communication technology, an electronicdevice is used as an essential communication device for individuals. Inaddition, with the execution of various supplementary services, such asa camera, data communication, video replay, audio replay and messenger,schedule management, alarm functions in addition to a voicecommunication function in the electronic device, various programs forproviding the functions have been used and the number of programsinstalled in the electronic device has increased.

In the related art, when a program is executed in an electronic device,the electronic device searches icons for executing programs which arearranged on the display unit of the electronic device, and selects andexecutes the program. As the number of programs installed in theelectronic device increases, the method for directly searching for andexecuting a program become complicated because of the complexity of theprocess of searching for and executing a desired program.

In addition, the electronic device may execute a program using a commandfor executing one specific program provided by the electronic device.The electronic device may display two or more programs having anidentical function and select and execute one of the displayed programs.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object toprovide a method and apparatus for searching for programs associatedwith an executed program from a database, displaying the found programson an electronic device that executes the program, and executing aprogram that provides an identical or similar function to that of theexecuted program.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for executing a program that provides an identical or similarfunction to that of a program executed by an implicit call instead ofthe executed program.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method in anelectronic device, includes receiving an instruction including animplicit call, identifying at least one program corresponding to theinstruction of the implicit call, when a number of the identifiedprogram is more than one, providing a first program of the identifiedprogram corresponding to the implicit call, and displaying a secondprogram of the identified program corresponding to the implicit callduring running of the first program.

Providing the first program corresponding to the implicit call mayinclude: displaying programs corresponding to the implicit call from adatabase; and providing determined one of the programs as the firstprogram.

Providing the first program corresponding to the implicit call mayinclude providing a previously selected and stored program as the firstprogram.

Displaying the second program may include displaying an icon or link ofthe second program.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method foroperating an electronic device includes: providing programscorresponding to selected object information; determining a firstprogram among the provided programs; and providing at least one secondprogram among the programs during execution of the first program.

Providing the program may include displaying an icon or link including acommand for executing the program.

The method may further include: executing the second program; anddisplaying the first program during execution of the second program.

The method may further include displaying a third program including theprograms during execution of the second program.

The method may further include displaying relevant programs which areassociated with the second program and are obtained from a database ofthe electronic device.

The method may further include performing or releasing display of theprograms or the relevant programs on an execution screen of the firstprogram or an execution screen of the second program through apredetermined gesture or motion.

The object information may be information included in an object, and mayinclude one or more of pieces of information about a function, purpose,keyword, identification (ID), and category of a program, and a list ofperipherals of the electronic device that are useable by the program.

The database may include one or more of pieces of information about afunction, purpose, keyword, identification (ID), and category of aprogram, and a list of peripherals of the electronic device that areuseable by the program.

Providing the programs may include providing the programs through atleast one of a display on a notification bar or notification window anda voice output.

The method may further include displaying a menu for determining whetherto set the first program to a default program corresponding to anobject.

The method may further include displaying a third program that is notincluded in the programs on an execution screen of the first program.

A method for operating an electronic device, includes selecting anobject representing an implicit call, providing a plurality of programsto the selected object, executing a first program among the plurality ofprograms; and providing at least one second program of the plurality ofprograms during executing of the first program.

A method for operating an electronic device, includes creating an objectrepresenting an implicit call, providing a plurality of programs to thecreated object, determining a first program among the plurality ofprograms, and executing the first program when the object is selected,providing at least one second program of the plurality of programsduring executing of the first program.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes a processor configure to create an object representingan implicit call, provide a plurality of programs to created object,determine a first program among the plurality of programs, and executethe first program when the object is selected, and provide at least onesecond program among the programs during executing the first program.

The processor may further control: executing a third program which isnot include in the programs; and displaying the first program and/or thesecond program during running of the third program.

The processor may further control displaying the first program and/orthe second program using an icon or link or outputting the first programand/or the second program in a voice manner.

The processor may further control: executing the second program; anddisplaying the first program on an execution screen of the secondprogram.

The processor may further control performing or releasing display of theprograms or the relevant programs on an execution screen of the firstprogram or an execution screen of the second program by performing areference operation.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block configuration of an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation according to a call of anelectronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating operations of an implicit callin an electronic device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating operations of an implicit callin an electronic device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating configurations of UIoperations according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an UI operationaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A to 7E are diagrams illustrating configurations of UI operationsaccording to processing of an implicit call in an electronic deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts illustrating program operations in anelectronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating program operations in an electronicdevice according to various embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 9, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged. Exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be described herein below with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the following description, detaileddescriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omittedsince they would unnecessarily obscure the subject matters of thepresent disclosure. Also, the terms used herein are defined according tothe functions of the present disclosure. Thus, the terms may varydepending on users' or operators' intentions or practices. Therefore,the terms used herein should be understood based on the descriptionsmade herein.

In the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an electronic device will be described to include atouchscreen in which an input process through an input device and adisplay process through a display unit can be performed on one screen.Therefore, although a display unit and an input device are illustratedseparately in a device configuration of the present disclosure, thedisplay unit can include the input device or the input device caninclude the display unit.

The present disclosure is not limited to an electronic device having atouchscreen, and can be applicable to various electronic devices, forexample, an electronic device in which a display unit and an inputdevice is physically separated or discriminated from each other and anelectronic device having only one of the display unit and the inputdevice. In the following embodiments, a device displayed as atouchscreen can represent an electronic device having a display unit,such as a touchscreen having a touch-type input device, a display unitthat does not have a touch-type input device, and a display unit havingan input device.

In the following description, examples of the electronic device 100include a mobile communication terminal, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a smart phone, asmart TV, a netbook, a mobile internet device (MID), an ultra mobilepersonal computer (UMPC), a tablet PC, a mobile pad, a media player, ahandheld computer, a navigation device, a smart watch, a Head MountedDisplay (HMD), and a MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player.

When it is stated that one component is “connected” or “linked” toanother component, the one component can be directly connected or linkedto another component. However, it will be understood that yet anothercomponent can exist therebetween. On the other hand, when it isdescribed that one component is “directly connected” or “directlylinked” to another component, it will be understood that yet anothercomponent does not exist therebetween.

In the present disclosure, the electronic device 100 can control an UIoperation of the electronic device 100 or an operation of a program bygenerating a call including a command for controlling a program, acomponent or data.

The call of the electronic device 100 can include an explicit call andan implicit call.

An explicit call can be a call that specifies an object called by acommand. A first program corresponding to a command can be directlyexecuted by selecting an activity component, such as an icon, includinga command for executing a first camera program of camera programs of theelectronic device 100 or by inputting a voice command.

An implicit call can be a call that does not specify an object called bya command. A command included in the implicit call can be executed byselecting an activity component, such as an icon, or by inputting avoice command like the explicit call. However, the command included inthe implicit call can be a command in which a target program to beexecuted is not explicitly determined.

In addition, a command included in the implicit call can be objectsearch information. The electronic device 100 can filter out or searchfor programs corresponding to object search information from a databasestored in a memory 100. Therefore, a command included in the implicitcall can be described as search information of a selected object.

The electronic device 100 can filter out programs corresponding toobject search information of an implicit call through a listrecommendation program 114 when the implicit call is generated. Theelectronic device 100 can display a list of filtered programs byconfiguring an UI operation on a touchscreen 133 or second display unitof the electronic device 100 or output the list of filtered programs ina voice manner. The list of programs displayed by the electronic device100 can be configured by an UI object including an explicit call orvoice command.

When the implicit call is generated, a default program can be set suchthat one program is executed without displaying the list of filteredprograms. The implicit call which the default program is setcorresponding to can be executed like an explicit call.

The electronic device 100 can include a second activity that generates acall including a command for executing a camera program in a firstactivity (UI operation configuration for a first program).

In a case where the second activity generates an explicit call forexecuting a second program, when the electronic device 100 does notinclude the second program in the memory 110, the electronic device 100may not execute the camera program in the first program.

In a case where the second activity generates an implicit call forexecuting the camera program, the electronic device 100 can filter outcamera programs corresponding to object search information of theimplicit call from the database through a list recommendation program114.

The electronic device 100 can configure a database using informationabout functions and purposes, keywords, and ID (Identification) codes ofprograms, and peripherals of the electronic device 100 which are usableby programs. The information can be obtained from headers of data, dataincluding program information, or data including information aboutfunctions which can be executed by a program package installed in theelectronic device 100 or available peripherals of the electronic device100. When an implicit call is generated, the electronic device 100 canfilter out programs corresponding to information provided by theimplicit call from program information of the database.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block configuration of an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 can include a memory 110,a processor unit 120. In addition, the electronic device 100 caninclude, as peripherals, an input/output processing unit 130, displayunit 131, an input device 132, an audio processing unit 140, acommunication system 150, and other peripherals.

Respective components will be described below.

The memory 110 can include a program storage unit 111 for storing aprogram for controlling an operation of the electronic device 100 and adata storage unit 112 for storing data generated during the execution ofa program, and can store data or the like generated by the programaccording to the operation of the processor 122.

For example, the electronic device 100 can configure a database usinginformation about functions and purposes, keywords and ID(Identification) codes of programs, and information about peripherals ofthe electronic device 100 which are usable by programs for processing ofdata of programs and store the database in the data storage unit 112.The information can configure a condition for filtering out a programcorresponding to an implicit call (implicit intent of android, selectionof a connection program of Window) command or a condition for searchingfor a program corresponding to a command for executing a program orsearching for a program for playing back, providing, editing and usingspecific data. The information can be a reference based on which theprograms can be classified. When an implicit call is generated, theelectronic device 100 can filter out programs corresponding toinformation provided by the implicit call from program information ofthe database.

The program storage unit 111 can include at least one applicationprogram 113, a user interface (UI) program 116, a communication controlprogram 118, and an input/output control program 117. Herein, theprograms stored in the program storage unit 111 can be configured by acollection of instructions and can be expressed as an instruction set.

The list recommendation program 114 can search or filter a databaseincluded in the memory 110 of the electronic device 100 based on objectsearch information of an implicit call when the electronic device 100executes a program through the implicit call, obtain a list of programscorresponding to the information, and display the list on the electronicdevice 100.

In addition, when a program is executed through an explicit call, theelectronic device 100 can search or filter the database included in thememory 110 of the electronic device 100 based on information of theexplicit call, obtain a list of programs associated with information ofprograms to be executed, and display the list on the electronic device100.

In addition, the list recommendation program 114 can establish adatabase using information about programs included in the memory 110 ofthe electronic device 100.

The information can be obtained from headers of data, data includingprogram information, data including information about functions whichcan be executed by a program package installed in the electronic device100 or peripherals used by the electronic device 100, and programsincluded in the memory 110 of the electronic device 100.

For example, the list recommendation program 114 can obtain pieces ofinformation about functions and purposes, keywords, ID (Identification)codes of programs included in the memory 110 of the electronic device100, available peripherals of the electronic device 100, a number oftimes that a program is executed, a time point at which a program hasstarted lately, a program set as a default program, a program which hadbeen set as a default program, and change history for a default program,and classify the pieces of information to configure lists. In addition,information about a number of times that programs included in the memory110 of the electronic device 100 have been downloaded, a download rank,whether there is an event, programs provided for an event, and programsrecommended for download can be obtained from a server for downloadingprograms of Internet, and can be added to the database.

The service state check program 115 can include at least one softwarecomponent for identifying a state of a service provided by a program ora configuration device.

For example, the service state check program 115 can identify that animplicit call is generated in the electronic device 100, and identifythat an operation of searching for a program corresponding to objectsearch information of the implicit call from a database of the memory110 of the electronic device is performed through the listrecommendation program 114.

As another example, the service state check program 115 can identify astate where one of programs corresponding to object search informationof the implicit call is selected and executed in the electronic device,and a state where one or more of the programs corresponding to theimplicit call are displayed on the touchscreen 133 on which the UIoperation of the selected program is being displayed.

The user interface (UI) program 116 can include at least one command,software component for providing a user interface (UI) to the electronicdevice 100.

For example, the UI program 114 can convert codes, such as standardcharacter encoding or character collection, used by the electronicdevice 100, into corresponding characters or sound and display the sameon the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device or output the samethrough the speaker 141.

As another example, the user interface program 114 configures an UI orGUI using an icon including a command for executing programs obtained bysearching a database based on object search information of the implicitcall of the electronic device 100 or an image including a link anddisplays the same on the touchscreen 133.

The I/O control program 117 can display operations of the electronicdevice 100 on the display unit 131 and receive an instruction for anoperation of the electronic device 100 through the input device 132.

The communication control program 117 can include at least one softwarecomponent for controlling communication with at least one secondelectronic device using the communication system 150.

For example, the communication control program 117 can search for asecond electronic device for communication connection. When the secondelectronic device for communication connection is found, thecommunication control unit 117 can set a connection for communicationwith the second electronic device. Thereafter, the communication controlprogram 117 investigates the performance of the second electronic deviceconnected to the electronic device and performs a session establishmentprocess to enable the communication system 150 to transmit and receivedata, such as alarm information, to and from the second electronicdevice.

The application program 113 can include a software component for atleast one application program installed in the memory 110 of theelectronic device 100.

The memory 110 included in the electronic device 100 can be configuredin plurality. In addition, the memory 110 can perform only the functionof the program storage unit 111 or data storage unit 112 or both thefunctions according to what it is used for. The physical divisionbetween internal storage areas in the memory 110 may not be definite.

The processor unit 120 includes a memory interface 121, at least oneprocessor 122, and a peripheral interface 123. In this case, the memoryinterface 121, the at least one processor 122 and the peripheralinterface 123 which are included in the processor unit 120 can beintegrated into at least one circuit or be implemented as separateelements.

The memory interface 121 can control access to the memory 100 ofcomponents, such as the processor 122 or the peripheral interface 123.

The peripheral interface 123 can control connections of the input/outputperipherals of the electronic device 100 to the processor 122 and thememory interface 121.

The processor 122 can enable the electronic device 100 to providevarious services, such as multimedia or communication services, using atleast one software program, perform display on the display unit 131 toenable a user to see the UI operation of the electronic device throughthe I/O processing unit 130, and enable an input device (notillustrated) or the touch input device 132 to provide a service forreceiving an instruction from the outside of the electronic device. Inthis case, the processor 122 can perform control to execute at least oneprogram stored in the memory 110 and provide a service corresponding tothe program.

The audio processing unit 140 can provide an audio interface between auser and the electronic device 100 through a speaker 141 and amicrophone 142.

For example, the electronic device 100 can perform control to enableinput of a predetermined voice command for executing an implicit call tothe microphone 142 and to notify a service performed by the electronicdevice 100 or output a list of programs obtained by searching a databasebased on object search information of the implicit call in a voicemanner through the speaker 141.

The communication system 150 performs a communication function. Thecommunication system 150 can perform communication with a secondelectronic device using at least one of mobile communication through abase station, infrared wireless communication, Bluetooth, near filedwireless communication, such as Wireless Fidelity, wireless LANcommunication and wired communication.

The input/output processing unit 130 can provide an interface between aninput/output device, such as the display unit 131 and the input device132, and the peripheral interface 123.

The input device 132 can provide input data generated by the selectionof the user to the processor unit 120 through the input/outputprocessing unit 130.

For example, the input device 132 can be configured by only controlbuttons or a key pad in order to receive data for control from theoutside of the electronic device 100.

The other input device 132 can be included and provided in the displayunit 132 like the touchscreen 133. In this case, the input device 132 ofthe touchscreen 133 can use a capacitive type, a resistive type(detection of pressure), an infrared type, an electromagnetic inductiontype and an ultrasonic type.

The display unit 131 can receive the state information of the electronicdevice 100, characters input from the outside, moving pictures, stillpictures (hereinafter, referred to as an image), or the like from theprocessor unit 120, configure an UI operation, and display the samethrough the input/output processing unit 131.

The touchscreen 133 is a device in which the display unit 131 isintegrated physically with the touch-type input device 132, and canreceive a command by touching a screen configuration displayed on thedisplay unit 131 with the operation of the electronic device 100.

Since the touchscreen 133 performs both the function of the display unit131 for displaying an UI operation of the electronic device 100 and thefunction of the input device 132 of inputting an external command to theelectronic device 100, the display unit 131 of the touchscreen 133 andthe input device 132 of the touchscreen 133 can be indicated by thetouchscreen 133.

In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, displayingor outputting through the electronic device 100 can be performed bydisplaying moving pictures, still pictures or GUI operations on thetouchscreen 133 of the electronic device 100 or by outputting audio,such as signal sound or voice, through the speaker 141. In the followingdescription, expression “displaying” or “outputting” can be used. Ifthere is a need for discrimination between them, separate descriptionsfor them will be provided.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operation corresponding to a call from anelectronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 can communicate with auser through a component configured by a software module capable ofprocessing programs.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 can execute a secondcomponent 207 through a first call 211 for selecting, for example, anicon or inputting a voice command in a state in which a component 201 isoperating. The first call 211 can generate an explicit call forexecuting an explicit object. When the explicit call is generated, thesecond component corresponding to explicit call information can beexecuted. The explicit call can include a command for executing a targetprogram and execute the target program without a filtering operation 205of the list recommendation program 203 of the electronic device 100.

As another example, the electronic device 100 can filter out acorresponding list through a second call 213 for selecting, for example,an icon or inputting a voice command in a state where the component 201is operating. The second call 213 can be an implicit call that does notspecify an object. Since an explicit object, such as a program to beexecuted, does not exist when the implicit call is generated, theelectronic device 100 can filter out a list of programs corresponding toobject search information of the implicit cal through a database, suchas the list recommendation program 114.

The electronic device 100 can obtain programs including the function oridentification code of the electronic device 100 corresponding to data,such as the function or identification code of the electronic device100, included in the object search information of the implicit call andconfigure a list of programs. The electronic device 100 can display thelist of filtered programs by configuring an UI operation on thetouchscreen 133 of the electronic device 100 or second electronic deviceor output the list of filtered programs in a voice manner.

The electronic device 100 can execute a second program through a thirdcall from the displayed list of programs. The third call 215 can be anexplicit call that specifies an object. When the explicit call forexecuting the second component 207 is generated, the third call canexecute the second component 207 like the first call 211.

Herein, a first software module can be a unit representing one userinterface in the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 caninclude a plurality of first software modules in one program. Theplurality of first software modules can be executed together in order toform one integrated user interface. The first software modules canoperate independently from each other.

A second software module may not configure an UI operation to bedisplayed on the electronic device 100 and can be a component which canbe executed in background. The second software module can performanother operation (music playback through a second program or dataprocessing through a third program) in background while the electronicdevice 100 executes a specific operation (first program). In addition,when another operation is performed, a result thereof can be provided tothe first software module.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device 100 plays back musicthrough the first program, the second program can provide one or aplurality of first software modules for selecting a music for playbackand performing, for example, playback, rewind, playback of next media.However, the electronic device 100 continues to play back music duringthe execution of the first program even though display for the secondprogram is not provided. When the second program is executed, a newthread can be generated. The generated thread can be in charge ofplaying back music and can operate in background even when performinganother operation besides the second program.

The third software module can be a software module for performing anoperation of receiving or responding to a broadcast rather thanperforming an active operation in the electronic device 100. The thirdsoftware module can receive or respond to a broadcast that can begenerated in system codes or programs, such as low battery notification,text message reception, and music playback. A program can include aplurality of third software modules that respond to a plurality ofbroadcasts.

The electronic device 100 may not output a user interface even thoughconfiguring the user interface. The electronic device 100 can execute aprogram or software module for responding to received information anddisplay the response using various methods, such as sound and vibration.

A fourth software module can perform an operation for generating, forexample, data in a program in the electronic device 100. The generateddata can be data configuring the database of the electronic device 100.In addition, the fourth software module can provide controllable data toanother program for use. The electronic device 100 can include addressbook data. The first program can be Social Network Service (SNS) that isprovided with an address book and can transmit and receive a textmessage to and from the second electronic device. The fourth softwaremodule can provide the address book data including information about anobject for communicating with the second electronic device through thefirst program to the first program.

The software modules of the above-described embodiments can be anactivity component, a service component, a broadcast receiver component,and a contents provider in a case where OS is android.

For example, the components illustrated in FIG. 2 can be a program thatis running in the electronic device 100, a background service, or an UIoperation displayed on the electronic device 100, such as a program.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided underassumption that the operating system (OS) of the electronic device 100is android. The present disclosure is not limited to the electronicdevice 100 whose the OS is android and can be applicable to theelectronic device including another OS.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate operations of an implicit call in anelectronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.The electronic device 100 can generate an implicit call and an explicitcall through various methods. The electronic device 100 can select anicon, view or widget that includes a command for generating an implicitcall or explicit call as an operation for executing a second programwhen executing the second program during running of a first program fordisplaying an activity, such as view or widget, or a component.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, when the electronic device 100 is executingthe first program, an UI object 301, such as an icon, view, or widgetfor generating a call associated with a map can be selected through atouch 303 in a configuration of UI operations displayed on thetouchscreen 133.

When the UI object 301 is an explicit call including a command forexecuting an explicitly defined object, a corresponding map program canbe executed.

On the contrary, when the UI object 301 is an implicit call that doesnot specify a target program to be executed, map programs correspondingto information can be filtered out from a database, such as the listrecommendation program 114, based on information included in theimplicit call or the selected UI object(s), such as an icon, view orwidget, and a list of obtained programs can be displayed on thetouchscreen 133. One UI object can be selected in the list of mapprograms, and the electronic device 100 can execute a map programcorresponding to a call included in the selected UI object. The list ofprogram that is filtered out based on object search information of theimplicit call in the electronic device 100 can be a component forgenerating an explicit call.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the electronic device 100 is executingthe first program, a call associated with a map can be generated byinputting a voice command through a microphone 142.

When the voice command is an explicit call including a command forexecuting an explicit object, a corresponding map program can beexecuted.

On the contrary, when the voice command is an implicit call that doesnot specify a target program to be executed, map programs correspondingto information can be filtered out from a database, such as the listrecommendation program 114, based on information included in theimplicit call or the input voice command and a list of obtained programscan be output in a voice manner through the speaker 141. In addition,the electronic device 100 can display a list of obtained programsthrough UI objects along with voice output 411.

The electronic device 100 can select one UI object from the displayedlist of programs or receive a voice command. When an input voice command“2D (2 Dimension) map” is an explicit call for executing a 2D mapprogram, a corresponding 2D map program can be executed.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate operation of an implicit call in anelectronic device illustrated in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4A, the electronic device 100 canoutput a list of programs, which are filtered out based on object searchinformation of the implicit call, in a voice manner. When a selected(303) map icon 301 in FIG. 3B or an input voice command in FIG. 3B is animplicit call, a database can be searched based on the object searchinformation of a “map” command (under a condition of “using map”),programs satisfying the condition can be filtered out, and “2D map”, “3Dmap”, “traffic situations”, “tourist attraction”, and “get directions”programs which use a map can be filtered out. The electronic device 100can display a list of programs which are filtered out in a voice manneras indicated by reference numeral 411 in FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the electronic device 100 can display the list ofprograms, which are filtered out based on implicit call information, forexample, in a pop-up window, on the touchscreen 133 of the electronicdevice 100. When a selected 303 map icon 301 in FIG. 3B or an inputvoice command in FIG. 3B is an implicit call, a database can be searchedbased on the object search information of a “map” command (under acondition of “using map”), programs satisfying the condition can befiltered out, and “2D map”, “3D map”, “traffic situations”, and “touristattraction” programs which use a map can be filtered out. The electronicdevice 100 can display the list of filtered programs on a pop-up windowas indicated by reference numeral 409 in FIG. 4B.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a configuration of an user interface (UI)operation in an electronic device according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5A, the electronic device isexecuting a map program (or a program different from the map program)launched through an implicit call and displays an notification 513 thata list of programs which are filtered out based on object searchinformation of the implicit call associated with the map program ischeckable on the touchscreen 113 that displays the UI operation of themap program.

In addition, the electronic device 100 can display an UI object (an iconor a text including a link) including a command for executing anotherprogram on a predetermined area of the touchscreen 133 that displays themap program which is being executed. When “GALLERY” 517 or “CAPTURE” 515in FIG. 5A that is an UI object can be configured by an explicit call oran implicit call and the content of the UI object represents theimplicit call, the electronic device 100 can obtain one or more programscorresponding to object search information of the implicit call from adatabase of a memory 110. As another example, when the content of the UIobject represents the explicit call, the electronic device 100 canexecute a program corresponding to “GALLERY” 517 and a commandcorresponding to “CAPTURE” 515.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the electronic device 100 can execute one program(for example, a map program 501 in FIG. 5B) through an implicit call. Ina state where the executed program is not terminated, the electronicdevice 100 can execute the “GALLERY” program and display a notification501 that a list of programs (for example, a list of programs obtained byfiltering a database with a command associated with a map) which arefiltered out based on object search information of the implicit call ischeckable on the touchscreen 133 on which an UI operation of theexecuted “GALLERY” program is being displayed.

A configuration of an executed UI operation of the map program accordingto an icon, view, or widget that can include a command for executing aprogram or a command for executing the map program that can be includedin a call of a voice command can be displayed.

When the map program is selected from the list of programs obtained byfiltering the database through the implicit call and is executed, thenotification 501 that the list of programs obtained through the implicitcall is checkable can be displayed in a state where the map program isrunning.

The electronic device 100 can store data about the list of programsobtained through the implicit call in the memory 110 of the electronicdevice 100. The stored data can be maintained in an active state in thememory 110 of the electronic device 100. The stored data can bedisplayed on the electronic device 100 by performing a referenceoperation until a reference condition is satisfied and may not be thendisplayed.

For example, when a map icon 301 in FIG. 3A is an implicit call, theelectronic device 100 can obtain a list of programs corresponding toinformation included in data of the implicit call from a database storedin the memory 110 through a list recommendation program 114. Theelectronic device 100 can display the obtained list of programs asindicated by reference numeral 409 of FIG. 4B by configuring an UIoperation on the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device 100 or canoutput the obtained list of programs through the speaker 141 in a voicemanner as indicated by reference numeral 411 of FIG. 4A. The electronicdevice 100 can detect an operation (selection of an UI object or voiceinput) for selecting one program from the displayed list of programs andexecute the corresponding map program through an explicit call includedin the operation.

Herein, the reference operation can include one or more of an operationof touching an UI object on the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device100, an operation of touching, dragging, and releasing an UI object, anoperation of touching an UI object multiple times, an operation throughhovering, an operation through eye and/or iris recognition, an operationthrough thought recognition, an operation through button click, and anoperation for making a predetermined motion through the electronicdevice 100. In the following description, the reference operation caninclude the above-described examples of the reference operation.

The electronic device 100 can display the notification 501 informingthat the list of filtered programs is checkable on the touchscreen onwhich the UI operation of the map program is being displayed. Thenotification can be displayed using a notification bar as indicated byreference numeral 501 of FIG. 5A, a notification window (can bedisplayed by performing the reference operation) as indicated byreference numeral 409 of FIG. 4B, a voice output as indicated byreference numeral 411 of FIG. 4A, or a pop-up message (409 in FIG. 4B).The content of the notification can be displayed in a text form asindicated by reference numeral 501 of FIG. 5A, in a form including animage as indicated by reference numeral 409 of FIG. 4B, or in a form ofdisplaying an icon in the notification bar as indicated by referencenumeral 412 of FIG. 4A, or can be output in a voice manner as indicatedby reference numeral 411 of FIG. 4A. At the time of checking thecontents of the notification bar (501 of FIG. 5A) by touching ordragging the notification bar, the electronic device 100 can display theprograms which are filtered out.

The map program can display second programs adapted to interwork withthe program on the touchscreen 133 on which the UI operation of the mapprogram is being displayed, or can output the second programs in a voicemanner.

For example, referring to FIG. 5A, a “CAPTURE” icon 515 for capturingthe UI operation of the map program or a “GALLERY” icon 517 forlaunching a “GALLERY” program for allowing a user to see still pictures,such as captured photographs, or moving pictures can be displayed as thesecond programs adapted to interwork with the map program on thetouchscreen 133 on which the map program is being displayed. The“CAPTURE” icon 515 or “GALLERY” icon 517 displayed on the map programcan be an explicit call or implicit call.

The electronic device 100 can execute a “GALLERY” program by selectingthe “GALLERY” icon 517 displayed on the map program. When a command thatconfigures the “GALLERY” icon 517 is an explicit call, the corresponding“GALLERY” program can be executed.

The electronic device 100 can execute the “GALLERY” program through theexplicit call and display the notification 501 informing that a list offiltered programs is checkable on the touchscreen 133 on which theoperation of the “GALLERY” program is being displayed. The notification501 can be displayed using a notification bar 501 as illustrated in FIG.5B, a notification window (can be displayed by performing a referenceoperation) as indicated by reference numeral 409 of FIG. 4B, or can beoutput in a voice manner as indicated by reference numeral 411 of FIG.4A. At the time of checking the contents of the notification bar (501 ofFIG. 5A) by touching or dragging the notification bar, the electronicdevice 100 can display the programs which are filtered out.

The electronic device 100 can execute the “GALLERY” program through the“GALLERY” icon 517 displayed by the map program while not terminatingthe map program launched from a list of programs initially filtered outthrough an implicit call. The electronic device 100 can store the listof programs from which the map program that is not terminated has beenselected in the memory 110 and display the notification to allow a userto perform checking in the “GALLERY” program executed to interwork withthe map program. The data of the notification 501 which the electronicdevice 100 displays on the touchscreen 133 on which the UI operation ofthe “GALLERY” program is displayed can be identical to that of thenotification 501 of FIG. 5A displayed in the map program that displaysthe “GALLERY” icon 517 for executing the “GALLERY” program. Theelectronic device 100 can display the list of programs which arefiltered out based on information included in the implicit call bytouching or dragging the notification 501 displayed on the touchscreen.In addition to the method for displaying the list of programs using thenotification bar, the list of program can be displayed through a methodfor displaying the list on a notification window (for example, a pop-upwindow displayed on the touchscreen on which an operation of theelectronic device is being displayed in a pop-up manner) as indicated byreference numeral 409 of FIG. 4B by performing a reference operation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of an UI operation according to dataprocessing in an electronic device according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device 100 candisplay a list of programs which are filtered out based on object searchinformation of an implicit call on the touchscreen 133 of the electronicdevice 100 or output the list in a voice manner, and select and executeone program of the displayed programs. The electronic device 100 candisplay a notification 403 or 501 informing that the filtered programsare checkable in the form of a notification bar on the touchscreen 133of the electronic device in which a program is running as indicated byreference numeral 403 of FIG. 5A or reference numeral 501 of FIG. 5B.The electronic device 100 can allow a user to check the filteredprograms by a method for touching or dragging the notification asillustrated in FIG. 6.

The electronic device 100 selects one program from a list of programsfiltered out based on the object search information of the implicit calland sets the program to a default program. When the default programs isdetermined, the implicit call can include an explicit object to beexecuted and acts as an explicit call. The electronic device 100 candisplay, for example through a pop-up window, a selection menu fordetermining whether to set one selected program as a default program onthe touchscreen 133 which the filtered programs are being displayed onas indicated by reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 7A to 7E illustrate configurations of an UI operation according toan implicit call in an electronic device according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7A, the electronic device 100 cangenerate an implicit call when a “SNS” icon (305 of FIG. 3A) isselected, search for or filter out programs corresponding to objectsearch information of the “SNS” icon (305 of FIG. 3A) from a database ofthe electronic device 100, and display a list of filtered programs onthe touchscreen 133 of the electronic device as indicated by referencenumeral 707 of FIG. 7A or output the list through a speaker 141 in avoice manner.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the electronic device 100 can select one programfrom the displayed list of filtered programs and execute the selectedprogram. The electronic device 100 can display the list of filteredprograms on a pop-up window 709 in FIG. 7A and select one program (forexample, a blog program) from the displayed programs. When the blogprogram 703 is selected, the electronic device 100 can display a menu711 for inputting whether to set the selected blog program to a defaultprogram.

When “perform action using the program just once” is selected in themenu 711, the electronic device 100 may not set the blog program 703 toa default program of the implicit call associated with the “SNS” icon305, and electronic device 100 can call the blog program. When the “SNS”icon 305 of FIG. 3A is selected, the electronic device 100 may notinclude an explicit target program in the implicit call, and can displaya list of programs obtained by searching or filtering the database ofthe electronic device 100 based on object search information of theimplicit call included in the “SNS” icon 305 as indicated by referencenumeral 709 of FIG. 7A.

When “set the program to a default program” is selected in the menu 711,the electronic device 100 can set the blog program 703 to a defaultprogram with respect to the implicit call associated with the “SNS” icon305. When the “SNS” icon 305 of FIG. 3A is selected, the electronicdevice 100 can include an explicit target program (for example, the blogprogram set as the default program) in the implicit call, and canexecute the blog program 703 as illustrated in FIG. 7C, withoutdisplaying a list of programs obtained by searching or filtering thedatabase of the electronic device 100 based on object search informationof the implicit call included in the “SNS” icon 305 as indicated byreference numeral 709 of FIG. 7A. The “SNS” icon (305 of FIG. 3A) withrespect to which the blog program 703 is set as the default program canact as an explicit call for executing the blog program 703.

Referring to FIG. 7C, the electronic device 100 can display annotification 713 informing that a list of filtered programs, obtained bysearching or filtering the database of the electronic device 100according to the implicit call generated in FIG. 7A, is checkable on thetouchscreen 133 on which the operation of the blog program launchedthrough FIG. 7B is being displayed. The electronic device 100 candisplay the list of filtered programs, and select and execute oneprogram. The electronic device 100 can store the list of filteredprograms without deleting the list, and display the list of filteredprograms on the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device through areference operation during execution of the one selected program.

The electronic device 100 can display an icon 701 or link for executinga second program (for example, a camera capturing program associatedwith the operation of the blog program) on a screen on which anoperation of a launched first program (for example, the blog program) isbeing displayed. The electronic device 100 can select (715) and executethe camera icon 701 without terminating the blog program.

Referring to FIG. 7D, the electronic device 100 can execute a cameraprogram through the camera icon 701 selected in FIG. 7C. When executingthe camera program through the camera icon 701 during the operation ofthe blog program in FIG. 7C, the electronic device 100 can execute thecamera program in a state where the operation the blog program is notterminated. The electronic device 100 can store a list of filteredprograms, which enable selection of the blog program by generating theimplicit call, in the memory 100 until the blog program is terminated,and check the list of the filtered programs by inputting a referenceoperation to the electronic device 100 which is displaying the operationof the camera program launched by the blog program.

In addition, when there is an input for selecting, for example, thecamera icon 701 for executing the camera program, the electronic device100 can search or filter the database of the electronic device based onpieces of information about the function and purpose, keyword, and ID(Identification) code of the program included in a command for executingthe camera program and peripherals of the electronic device 100 which isusable by programs, and obtain a list of relevant programs associatedwith the camera program. The program include in the list of relevantprograms can be a program included in the memory 100 of the electronicdevice 100, and provide a command, icon, or link for downloading acorresponding program when the program is not included in the memory110.

The electronic device 100 can display an notification 717 informing thata list of filtered programs or a list of relevant programs is checkableon the touchscreen 133 on which the operation of the camera program isbeing displayed through a notification bar or notification window or canoutput the notification 717 in a voice manner.

Referring to FIG. 7E, the electronic device 100 can display the UIoperation of the camera program and the notification 717 of FIG. 7D onthe touchscreen 133 and check the contents thereof the notification 717by performing a reference operation, for example by touching or draggingthe notification 717.

Referring to FIG. 7E, when the notification 717 on the notification barof FIG. 7D is touched or dragged, the electronic device 100 can displaythe list 721 of filtered programs, a menu 601 for selecting whether toset one program selected from the list of programs which are filteredout based on object search information of an implicit call to a defaultprogram of the implicit call, or a list 719 of relevant programsassociated with a camera program launched by a blog program.

Although not illustrated, the electronic device 100 can further providea menu for releasing a default program with respect to an implicit call.

When the blog program is terminated, the electronic device 100 can add alist of filtered programs to a database or delete the list from thememory 110. When the camera program is terminated, the electronic device100 can add a list of relevant programs to a database or delete the listfrom the memory 110.

For example, the electronic device can decide to display or delete dataaccording to conditions, such as whether a predetermined time intervalhas elapsed after one program is launched through an implicit call,whether a default program is changed, or whether there is a programadded to the memory 110 of the electronic device 100 after the databaseis searched or filtered based on information of the implicit call, inaddition to whether the program is terminated.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a detailed flowchart of program operations inan electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the electronic device 100 can generate an implicitcall, filter out programs corresponding to object search information ofthe implicit call from a database of the electronic device 100, anddisplay a list of filtered programs on the electronic device 100. Theelectronic device 100 can select and execute one first program, set theselected first program to a default program of the implicit call, anddisplay the filtered program through a reference operation by the firstprogram.

In operation 801, the electronic device 100 can select an UI object,such as an icon, including, for example, a call for executing a programwhich is stored in the memory 110 of the electronic device 100 and isbeing displayed on the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device 100.When the call included in the selected UI object is an implicit call,the implicit call may not include an explicit target program to beexecuted in a command. The implicit call can include information aboutcharacteristics of a program to be executed. One program or a pluralityof executable programs can be determined based on the information. Theinformation can be configured by information about the function andpurpose, keyword, and Identification (ID) Code of a program, andperipherals of the electronic device 100 that is usable by the program.

In operation 803, the electronic device 100 can search for or filter outprograms corresponding to object search information of the implicit callfrom the database of the electronic device 100. The database of theelectronic device 100 can include pieces of information about functionsand purposes, keywords, and ID (Identification) codes of programsinstalled or stored in the memory of the electronic device 100, andperipherals of the electronic device 100 that are usable by theprograms. The pieces of information can be obtained from headers ofdata, data including program information, or data including informationabout functions which can be executed by a program package installed inthe electronic device 100, or available peripherals of the electronicdevice 100.

In addition, the electronic device 100 can search or filter Internet ora specific server (for example, a second electronic device) connectablethereto through the communication system 150 of the electronic device100 at the time of obtaining a program corresponding to the objectsearch information of the implicit call.

In operation 805, the electronic device 100 can determine whether thereis a program corresponding to the information by searching or filteringthe database based on the object search information of the implicitcall.

In operation 806, when there is no program corresponding to theinformation in the memory of the electronic device, the electronicdevice 100 can display a result message (or error code) indicating thata program corresponding to the implicit call may not be executed (or maynot be found). The electronic device can display the result message onthe touchscreen 133 in a display manner or output the message in a voicemanner.

In addition, the electronic device 100 can provide a result of a searchthrough a web (Internet or a specific network server) with respect to aprogram corresponding to the implicit call in addition to the method fordisplaying the result message (error code) indicating that a programcorresponding to the implicit call may not be executed (or may not befound).

In operation 807, the electronic device can determine whether the numberof programs obtained as a result of searching or filtering in operation805 is one or higher. The electronic device can perform operation 811when the number of the obtained programs is one, and can performoperation 809 when the number of the obtained programs is higher thanone.

In operation 809, the electronic device 100 can determine whether adefault program is set corresponding to the implicit call, and when thedefault is set, can determine whether the set default program isincluded in the programs obtained in operation 803. When the defaultprogram is not set corresponding to the implicit call, the electronicdevice can perform operation 815. When the default program is set, theelectronic device can perform operation 811.

In operation 815, the electronic device 100 can display a list ofprograms that are obtained by searching or filtering the data base inoperation 803 on the touchscreen 133, or a second display unit of theelectronic device 100 or can output the list through the speaker 141 ina voice manner.

In operation 817, the electronic device 100 can select one program fromthe list of programs displayed in operation 815, and provide a menu fordetermining whether to set the selected program to a default program orwhether to execute the selected program without setting it to thedefault program. The electronic device 100 can perform operation 819when an input for setting the selected one program to a default programis received, and perform operation 811 when an input for executing theselected one program is received, not the input for setting the selectedone program to a default program.

In operation 811, the electronic device 100 can execute the selectedprogram. In a case where the selected program is not set to a defaultprogram in operation 817, when the implicit call of operation 801 isgenerated again, a default program may not be set with respect to theimplicit call in operation 809, the electronic device 100 can performoperation 815.

When the default program is set corresponding to the implicit call andthe default program is included in searched or filtered programs inoperation 809, the electronic device 100 may not display the programsfiltered out in operation 815 and can execute a program corresponding tothe default program. When the default program is set corresponding tothe implicit call, the implicit call can be explicitly associated with atarget program and act as an explicit call. The electronic device 100may not proceed to operation 815 from operation 809, can proceed tooperation 811, or can execute a set default program.

In operation 813, the electronic device 100 can display a list ofprograms obtained as a result of searching or filtering in operation 803or an interface for informing a user of the existence of the list in thestate where the program selected in operation 811 is running. The listof programs can be displayed on a notification bar or notificationwindow by a reference operation, for example, by touching or dragging anotification that informs a user that the list of programs is checkableor can be output in a voice manner. The electronic device 100 canexecute a program selected through the list or the interface. Theelectronic device 100 can be provided with information (a method forgenerating the implicit call and information that is to be delivered tothe executed program) about the implicit call.

The electronic device 100 terminates operation 813 to end operations ofFIG. 8A.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the electronic device 100 can generate an implicitcall, filter out programs corresponding to object search information ofthe implicit call from a database of the electronic device 100, anddisplay a list of filtered programs on the electronic device 100. Theelectronic device 100 can select and execute one first program, set theselected first program to a default program of the implicit call, storeinformation about the executed first program, determine whether thefiltered programs satisfy a predetermined condition, and display thefiltered program through a reference operation by the first program.

In operation 821, the electronic device 100 can select an UI object,such as an icon, including, for example, a call for executing a programwhich is stored in the memory 110 of the electronic device 100 and isbeing displayed on the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device 100.When the call included in the selected UI object is an implicit call,the implicit call may not include an explicit target program to beexecuted in a command. The implicit call can include information aboutcharacteristics of a program to be executed. One program or a pluralityof executable programs can be determined based on the information. Theinformation can be configured by information about the function andpurpose, keyword, and Identification (ID) Code of a program, andperipherals of the electronic device 100 that are usable by the program.

In operation 823, the electronic device 100 can search for or filter outprograms corresponding to object search information of the implicit callfrom the database of the electronic device 100. The database of theelectronic device 100 can include pieces of information about functionsand purposes, keywords, and ID (Identification) codes of programsinstalled or stored in the memory of the electronic device 100, andperipherals of the electronic device 100 that are usable by theprograms. The pieces of information can be obtained from headers ofdata, data including program information, or data including informationabout functions which can be executed by a program package installed inthe electronic device 100, or available peripherals of the electronicdevice 100.

In addition, the electronic device 100 can search or filter Internet ora specific server (for example, a second electronic device) connectablethereto through the communication system 150 of the electronic device100 at the time of obtaining a program corresponding to the objectsearch information of the implicit call.

In operation 825, the electronic device 100 can determine whether thereis a program corresponding to the information by searching or filteringthe database based on the object search information of the implicitcall.

In operation 826, when there is no program corresponding to theinformation in the memory of the electronic device, the electronicdevice 100 can display a result message (or error code) indicating thata program corresponding to the implicit call may not be executed (or maynot be found) or a result of a search through a web (Internet or aspecific network server) with respect to a program corresponding to theimplicit call. The electronic device can display the result message onthe touchscreen 133 in a display manner or output the message in a voicemanner.

In operation 827, the electronic device can determine whether the numberof programs obtained as a result of searching or filtering in operation825 is one or higher. The electronic device can perform operation 831when the number of the obtained programs is one, and can performoperation 829 when the number of the obtained programs is higher thanone.

In operation 829, the electronic device 100 can determine whether adefault program is set corresponding to the implicit call, and when thedefault is set, can determine whether the set default program isincluded in the programs obtained in operation 823. When the defaultprogram is not set corresponding to the implicit call, the electronicdevice can perform operation 835. When the default program is set, theelectronic device can perform operation 831.

In operation 835, the electronic device 100 can display a list ofprograms that are obtained by searching or filtering the data base inoperation 823 on the touchscreen 133, or a second display unit of theelectronic device 100 or can output the list through the speaker 141 ina voice manner.

In operation 837, the electronic device 100 can select one program fromthe list of programs displayed in operation 835, and provide a menu fordetermining whether to set the selected program to a default program orwhether to execute the selected program without setting it to thedefault program. The electronic device 100 can perform operation 839when an input for setting the selected one program to a default programis received, and perform operation 831 when an input for executing theselected one program is received, not the input for setting the selectedone program to a default program.

In operation 839, the electronic device can set the selected program tothe default program corresponding to the implicit call of operation 821depending to determination of operation 837. The electronic device 100can store information about the setting in the memory 110. Theinformation about the setting can be the implicit call selected inoperation 821, a list of programs filtered out in operation 823, anumber of times which the selected program is set to a default program,and, when the selected program is set to a default program for anotherimplicit call, the other implicit call, or date and time at which theprogram is set to the default program.

In operation 831, the electronic device 100 can execute the selectedprogram. In a case where the selected program is not set to a defaultprogram in operation 837, when the implicit call of operation 821 isgenerated again, a default program may not be set with respect to theimplicit call in operation 829, the electronic device 100 can performoperation 835.

In operation 833, the electronic device 100 can store a result andinformation resulting from execution of the default programcorresponding to the implicit call in the memory 110 according to aresult of operation 829. The result or information can include one ormore of the implicit call selected in operation 821, the list ofprograms filtered out in operation 823, a number of times which theprogram is executed recently (for one week or one month), date and timeat which the default program is set, a number of times which an implicitcall for executing the default program is selected after the defaultprogram has been set, another implicit call when the default programs isset for the other implicit call, and a number of times which the programis executed by an explicit call.

In operation 841, the electronic device 100 can determine whetherinformation stored in the memory 110 or information included in adatabase of the memory 110 with respect to filtered programs satisfies acondition for displaying changeable programs on the touchscreen of theelectronic device 100 or a second display unit.

The electronic device 100 can determine The electronic device 100 candetermine one or more of a program which has been recently executedwithin a predetermined period among the programs which are filtered outaccording to the condition, a program after a predetermined timeinterval has elapsed after setting to a default program, a program whichhad been set to a default program of the implicit call among thefiltered programs, a program which is set to a default program ofanother implicit call among the filtered programs, a program which isrecently installed within a predetermined period among the filteredprograms, a program which is downloaded more than a predetermined numberof download times among the filtered programs, a program which satisfiesa predetermined score in Internet or a specific server among thefiltered programs, and a program provided for a promotion in Internet ora specific server among the filtered programs.

In operation 843, the electronic device 100 can determine a programsatisfying the condition among the programs filtered out in operation841 and display the program. The displayed program can be displayed on anotification bar or a notification window or be output in a voice mannerthrough a gesture or motion, such as a method of touching or dragging atext or an icon, indicating that a list of programs can be checkable, onthe notification bar, or clicking a button.

The electronic device 100 ends operation 843 to terminate operations ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of program operations in an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 9, the electronic device 100 can obtain object searchinformation of an implicit call, search for programs corresponding tothe object search information of the implicit call from a database, anddisplay the searched programs on the electronic device 100. Theelectronic device 100 can select and execute a program of the displayedprograms, and display the programs searched from the database on ascreen on which the operation of the selected programs is beingdisplayed.

In operation 901, the electronic device 100 can generate a call byselecting an UI object, such as an icon, displayed on the touchscreen133.

The call can be an explicit call that specifies an object to be executedin a command or a implicit call that does not specify an object to beexecuted and include conditions for an object.

The conditions for an object included in the implicit call can becharacteristics of a program, such as a function, purpose, keyword, andIdentification (ID) Code of a program, and information peripherals ofthe electronic device 100 that can be used by the program.

The electronic device can perform comparison with programs stored in thememory 110 of the electronic device 100 using information obtained fromthe generated implicit call and obtain a list of programs correspondingto the information.

The electronic device 100 can search for or filter out programs storedin the memory of the electronic device 100 based on the informationobtained in operation 901. The electronic device 100 can establish adatabase using information about programs in the memory 110 and obtain alist of programs corresponding to the information by searching orfiltering the database based on the search information (command or codeof search conditions) obtained from the implicit call.

In operation 903, the electronic device 100 can display the obtainedlist of programs on the touchscreen 133 of the electronic device 100 oroutput the list in a voice manner through the speaker 141. When the listis displayed on the touchscreen 133, the electronic device 100 candisplay the list of programs by configuring an UI object, such as anicon or link, including commands for executing respective programsincluded in the obtained programs.

For example, the electronic device 100 can output the list of programsobtained using the object search information of the implicit call in avoice manner through the speaker 141 as indicated by reference numeral411 of FIG. 4A.

As another example, the electronic device 100 can display an icon on anotification bar indicating that programs corresponding to the objectsearch information of the implicit call are obtained as indicated byreference numeral 412. The electronic device 100 can identify the listcorresponding to the icon 412 through an operation of touching ordragging the notification bar. The list corresponding to the icon 412,which can be identified by touching or dragging the notification bar,can be displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6. The electronic device 100 canomit operation 903 when a default program is set corresponding to theimplicit call.

In operation 905, the electronic device 100 can execute a relevantprogram by inputting an execution code of a program to be executedthrough voice or sound signals through the microphone 142 of theelectronic device 100 or by inputting a gesture using the electronicdevice. In addition, the electronic device 100 can execute a defaultprogram when the default program is set corresponding to the implicitcall.

In operation 907, the electronic device 100 can display an UI objectcorresponding to the list of programs (can omit the program that isbeing executed) obtained in operation 903 on the touchscreen 133 onwhich the UI operation of the program selected in operation 905 is beingdisplayed. When the program selected in operation 905 is not set to adefault program of the implicit call performed in operation 901, theelectronic device 100 can display a menu for determining whether to seta default program on a screen on which the UI object is being displayed.

In addition, the electronic device 100 can obtain a list of relevantprograms associated with the program that is being executed from thedatabase, and display an UI object corresponding to the relevantprograms on the touchscreen 133 on which the UI operation of the programselected in operation 905 is being displayed.

The electronic device 100 can release the display of the UI objects onthe program that is running by inputting a reference operation.

The methods according to various embodiments described in the claimsand/or specification of the present disclosure can be implemented byhardware, software, or a combination thereof.

When the methods are implemented by software, a computer-readablestorage medium can be provided to store one or more programs (softwaremodules). The one or more programs stored in the computer-readablestorage medium can be configured for execution by one or more processorsin the electronic device 100. The one or more programs can includeinstructions for causing the electronic device 100 to execute themethods according to the various embodiments described in the claims orspecification of the present disclosure.

These programs (software modules or software) can be stored in randomaccess memories (RAMs), nonvolatile memories including flash memories,read only memories (ROMs), electrically erasable programmable ROMs(EEPROMs), magnetic disc storage devices, compact disc-ROMs (CD-ROMs),digital versatile discs (DVDs), other types of optical storage devices,or magnetic cassettes. Also, the programs can be stored in a memoryconfigured by a combination of some or all of such storage devices.Also, each of the memories can be provided in plurality.

Also, the programs can be stored in an attachable storage device thatcan be accessed by the electronic device 100 through a communicationnetwork such as Internet, Intranet, local area network (LAN), wirelessLAN (WLAN), or storage area network (SAN), or through a communicationnetwork configured by a combination thereof. This storage device canaccess an electronic device 100 through an external port.

Also, a separate storage device on a communication network can access aportable electronic device 100.

As described above, the various embodiments of the present disclosuresearches for or filters out relevant programs based on information of aprogram to be executed from a data base when the program is executedthrough an implicit call in an electronic device, thereby providing amethod for executing other programs that provide identical or similarfunctions to that of the program and boosting consumption of variousprograms or contents.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the scope ofthe present disclosure is defined not by the detailed description of thepresent disclosure but by the appended claims, and all differenceswithin the scope will be construed as being included in the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: an audio processingmodule; a display; memory to store a plurality of applications; and aprocessor adapted to: receive a sound input using the audio processingmodule; determine, from the plurality of applications, a firstapplication and a second application capable of providing a functioncorresponding to the sound input; display, via the display, a list of afirst visual object indicative of the first application and a secondvisual object indicative of the second application; obtain a first inputwith respect to a visual object selected from the first and secondvisual objects; in response to the first input, display, via thedisplay, a notification bar along with a user interface of anapplication selected from the first and second applications andcorresponding to the visual object, the displaying of the notificationbar including displaying at least part of an indication on thenotification bar while the application is executed; obtain a secondinput with respect to the at least part of the indication displayed onthe notification bar; and display, via the display, the list of thefirst and second visual objects in response to the second input.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to: perform thedisplaying of the list such that each of the first and second visualobjects is in a substantially rectangular form and adjacent to theother.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to:perform the displaying of the list such that a first text correspondingto the first application is associated with the first visual object, anda second text corresponding to the second application is associated withthe second visual object.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is adapted to: display a text as at least one portion of theindication.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor isadapted to: execute a voice recognition application prior to thereceiving, the executing including displaying another indicationindicating that the voice recognition application is in a state tolisten to a voice command relative to the sound input.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a database including the plurality ofapplications stored in the memory, wherein the processor is adapted to:select, as at least part of the determining, the first and secondapplications from the database based at least in part on the soundinput.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to:output, as at least part of the displaying of the list, an audioindication corresponding to the list of the first and second visualobjects using the audio processing module.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the processor is adapted to: set, after the obtaining, theapplication as a default application corresponding to the sound inputsuch that the application can be automatically selected in response tothe sound input.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the process isadapted to: refrain from displaying of the indication from thenotification bar in response to the second input.
 10. A methodcomprising: receiving, at an electronic device, a sound input using asound input module operatively coupled with the electronic device;determining, from a plurality of applications stored in memoryoperatively coupled with the electronic device, a first application anda second application capable of providing a function corresponding tothe sound input; displaying, via a display operatively coupled with theelectronic device, a list of a first visual object indicative of thefirst application and a second visual object indicative of the secondapplication; obtaining a first input with respect to a visual objectselected from the first and second visual objects; in response to thefirst input, displaying, via the display, a notification bar along witha user interface of an application selected from the first and secondapplications and corresponding to the visual object, the displaying ofthe notification bar including displaying at least part of an indicationon the notification bar while the application is executed; obtaining asecond input with respect to the at least part of the indicationdisplayed on the notification bar; and displaying, via the display, thelist of the first and second visual objects in response to the secondinput.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the displaying of the listcomprises: displaying the list such that each of the first and secondvisual objects is in a substantially rectangular form and adjacent tothe other.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the displaying of thefirst and second visual objects comprises: displaying the list such thata first text corresponding to the first application is associated withthe first visual object, and a second text corresponding to the secondapplication is associated with the second visual object.
 13. The methodof claim 10, wherein the displaying of the at least part of indicationcomprises: displaying a text as at least one portion of the indication.14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: executing a voicerecognition application prior to the receiving, the executing includingdisplaying another indication indicating that the voice recognitionapplication is in a state to listen to a voice command relative to thesound input.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising a databaseincluding the plurality of applications stored in the memory, whereinthe determining comprises: selecting the first and second applicationsfrom the database based at least in part on the sound input.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the displaying of the list comprises:outputting an audio indication corresponding to the list of the firstand second visual objects using an audio processing module.
 17. Anon-transitory machine-readable storage device storing instructionsthat, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform operations comprising: receiving, at an electronicdevice, a sound input using a sound input module operatively coupledwith the electronic device; determining, from a plurality ofapplications stored in memory operatively coupled with the electronicdevice, at least one application capable of providing a functioncorresponding to the sound input; displaying, via a display operativelycoupled with the electronic device, at least one visual objectindicative of the at least one application; obtaining a first input withrespect to a visual object selected from the at least one visual object;in response to the first input, displaying, via the display, anotification bar along with a user interface of an application selectedfrom the at least one application and corresponding to the visualobject, the displaying of the notification bar including displaying atleast part of an indication on the notification bar while the userinterface of the application is displayed; obtaining a second input withrespect to the at least part of the indication displayed on thenotification bar; and displaying, via the display, the at least onevisual object in response to the second input.
 18. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the at least oneapplication comprises a first application and a second application,wherein the displaying of the at least one visual object comprises:displaying a first visual object corresponding to the first applicationand a second visual object corresponding to the second application. 19.The non-transitory machine-readable storage device of claim 18, whereinthe displaying of the first and second visual object comprises:displaying such that each of the first and second visual objects is in asubstantially rectangular form and adjacent to the other.
 20. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage device of claim 18, wherein thedisplaying of the first and second visual object comprises: displayingsuch that a first text corresponding to the first application isassociated with the first visual object, and a second text correspondingto the second application is associated with the second visual object.